A six-year-old boy has been cut free from a sea defence on Bognor beach in West Sussex.
The child, who was with his parents, slipped between rails and became trapped by a breakwater near a slipway, coastguards said.
Firefighters had to cut a 4ft (1.2m) piece of timber out of a breakwater to free him, but said the operation took minutes and the boy was safe and well.
A member of the public raised the alert on Saturday at about 19:30 BST.
Coastguard Holly Newnham said: "We advise people of all ages to be careful when playing near the water's edge.
"Equipment can be slippery and may not be as secure as you assume."
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